KABUL, April 30 (Xinhua) -- A women-only market has officially opened in western Afghanistan's Herat province, providing a dedicated space where dozens of female entrepreneurs sell their products exclusively to women customers, local media outlet TOLOnews reported on Thursday.

The initiative aims to create a safe and supportive commercial environment for women in business, according to the report. The market features a variety of women-made handicrafts, traditional products, and food items.

"This market is very useful for recognition and increasing women's future sales. Our trainees and our work are being introduced," TOLOnews quoted Golafrooz Najafi, a local entrepreneur as saying.

According to the Herat Women's Chamber of Commerce, around 1,200 women are officially registered as business owners in the province, while more than 10,000 are engaged in informal business activities. ■